New York (CNN) -- A New York man pleaded guilty Thursday in the Father's Day shooting deaths of four people at a Long Island pharmacy, authorities said.
David Laffer, 33, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder in the first degree, according to a statement from Suffolk County district attorney spokesman Robert Clifford, one count for each of the four victims, plus a fifth count for multiple victims.
Laffer will be sentenced to consecutive life sentences without parole on October 17, the statement said.
"Justice demands this defendant spend the rest of his life in prison," said Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota. "Today's guilty plea guarantees that outcome. This disposition, which is the same sentence the defendant would have received upon conviction after a trial, will spare the victims' families the trauma of reliving this nightmare."
The killings took place on June 19. Police said Laffer fatally shot two employees at Haven Drugs in Medford as well as two customers before leaving with a large quantity of prescription drugs.
Laffer had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was arrested four days after the shooting and also was charged with resisting arrest. Laffer's mug shot showed him with injuries to his face.
"The officers had to use force" because Laffer became "extremely violent" during the arrest, Police Commissioner Richard Dormer told reporters at the time.
Laffer's wife, Melinda Brady, 29, was arrested along with her husband. She was charged with third-degree robbery and obstructing governmental administration, authorities said.
Police identified the dead as Raymond Ferguson, 45, and Jennifer Mejia, 17, both pharmacy employees, as well as customers Bryon Sheffield, 71, and Jamie Taccetta, 33.
Mejia's death came days before she was to graduate from Bellport High School, school secretary Maryann Malcolm said.
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